INDONESIA TIPS: October 2025
-Apply for your Tourist Visa & Indonesia Arrival Card online for quick entry. ( See Jakarta Airport section below)
-Exchange some money upon arrival and make sure you ask for some small bills.
-GRAB is the ride share request app in Indonesia.
-Bring a converter for charging, USB charging isn’t as easily found as it should be.
-Prepare for water arrivals and I mean not arriving on a dry dock, when traveling by boat.
-Have tissue/toilet paper and hand sanitizer in your bag for those roadside gas-station restroom stops to pop a squat.
JAKARTA AIRPORT AND HOTELS
Apply for your Tourist Visa online then a couple days before arriving you can fill out the Indonesia Arrival Card either in the app or on their website. You will need your visa number. I didn’t need to show either at the Jakarta airport. It was digitally linked so I scanned my passport and entered the country without delay.
Terminal 3: This is the international terminal and the domestic terminal for Garuda Indonesia. Since I flew Garuda within the country this is the only terminal I experienced at CGK.
Exchange Money: There are a few money exchange businesses at the end of the International check in desks. Most places take credit cards but I did need Rupiahs for a few places and things such as rides and tips. I exchanged $150 and it lasted me 3 weeks. Make sure you ask for smaller bills.
Airport Hotels
GRAND ANARA AIRPORT HOTEL TERMINAL 3:
Check in was easy but locating the hotel was not. There are no signs for the Grand Anara. If you follow the signs for the Digital Hotel they will get you close. In the International Terminal look for Gate 5. If you are street level you will see a KFC and signs to the Digital Hotel. Go up to the first floor, where the Digital Airport Hotel is located. You will see a prayer room on the left and head thru the automatic doors toward the domestic parking terminal. Once you go into what you assume will be the parking garage you will see the 24 hour A & W Restaurant and to the left of the restaurant is the hotel entrance.
The room was fine for the price & location so I would return. It is a basic clean room. Yet I found the room a bit odd for an airport hotel. There were no clocks or alarms yes I know we all have phones and there was not one USB charging plug in the room. Not even attached to a lamp. You need a converter. The hotel provided slippers, toothbrush, toothpaste, comb and the regular toiletries provided in this part of the world.
There was not a phone in the room to contact the front desk. After two days of traveling and finally arriving in my room I couldn’t call the front desk to ask that the door to the adjoining room be locked. It would only lock with a key.
The screens with flight times in the hallway are a nice touch. I just wish they would display the local time with the date.
The breakfast included with the room price was fantastic. It had a variety of food choices to satisfy most international pallets.
Dont try the stairs from the guest-rooms. At least not the one I was in, the stairwell was dirty and I ended up in a construction site.
When leaving the hotel you can take the escalator ( to the right when looking at the elevator in the terminal near the Digital Hotel) or Elevator up one level for flights departing from terminal 3.
PASSGO DIGITAL AIRPORT HOTEL/ TERMINAL 3:
This is the pod hotel. I had a long layover so I decided to rent a pod instead of paying for lounge access. This was a wise decision. The staff was friendly and made check in a breeze. The pods are clean, comfortable and cozy. They provide a huge TV in the pod, a charging station, slippers, towel, mirror and adjustable mood lighting. It was such a good experience that I will absolutely consider booking a pod in the future. Your large baggage will be safely stored and you will have a key to a locker if you need to store a backpack or carry-on bag.
SOUTHWEST PAPUA
RAJA AMPAT DIVING
There is nothing like back rolling into a scene that is so colorful and active that you don’t know where to look. The schools of fish were enormous and as diverse as the vibrant corals that extend as far as the eye can see. It is sensory overload. I wanted to get to Raja Amat while the reef was still healthy and I am happy to report it was more stunning than I expected. I toured Raja Ampat on a 10 day live-aboard dive boat.
Sorong, Indonesia
I didn’t want to believe the blogs when they said to get in and out of this island as soon as possible but they were right. There is not much to do in this town. I took a tour of the mangroves and the pagoda. I did try going to the “rain forest” but it was closed when I arrived and if it was anything like the Mangroves, you don’t need to rush there.
If you’re hungry I found a worthy pizza at a restaurant called Terrazza. It’s a nice place to eat in a garden setting and they have burgers and other food options.
I stayed at the Swiss-Belhotel Sorong Hotel before boarding the boat. The hotel was perfect. It was clean, the breakfast buffet choices were abundant and the laundry was inexpensive. It’s nothing fancy, they have a small pool, but it is a solid choice. The only alcohol they have is beer and it is expensive.
I had some friends stay at the Aston Hotel and they were very pleased with their accommodations. I was told it was a bit more upscale than the Swiss-Belhotel.
Souvenir Shop/ Airport
If you want a Raja Ampat t-shirt, specifically one showing the dive sites, don’t wait until you arrive at the Aiport. The selection of shirts and knickknacks at the airport are limited. I couldn’t find a worthy Raja Ampat dive shirt. Those staying at the Aston Hotel said there was a good souvenir shop in walking distance that had plenty of tourist t-shirts for sale.
NORTHERN SULAWESI
MANADO
This was a choice I am so glad I made. The only reason I ended up going to Manado, the North Sulawesi island, was because it was one of the few direct flights from Sorong. I just loved this town and all the exciting easy options nearby.
Hotel:
Four Points Sheraton was where I stayed. I couldn’t have picked a better hotel to arrive at after 10 days on a boat. I just wanted a comfortable bed and to feel clean. The front desk staff was welcoming with a huge smile and a kind word. In fact every staff member went out of their way with a smile and a greeting. This is really an all around well run hotel.
The room was clean and just perfect. It had everything one would want or need. The well decorated room had a bathrobe, the standard toiletries for this part of the world ( toothbrush, comb, shower-cap…) The hotel has a nice view, it is on the water and it has a pool.
The buffet breakfast is enormous. I don’t think there is anyone who couldn’t find something to satisfy their taste buds. My friend has celiac disease so she must eat gluten free and the Chef in the Hotel’s Chinese restaurant was so kind. He took the time to discuss her options and assured us that he would make her something safe to eat. He did that and the food was delicious. If you want other food options follow the signs to the mega mall attached to the hotel.
The location of this hotel is about 20 minutes from the airport. Cost about $110,000 RP ( about $7) in a taxi or Grab. It is on the water with a nice view of the island of Bunaken. It is also attached via the parking garage to two huge malls where you can find everything from food, electronics, clothing, a bowling alley and on a weekend tons of people.
Restaurant:
RM. Han Siu Restaurant: We were taken here at the end of our day trip to the Tangkoko Jungle. What a treat. The Indo-China food was delicious. It’s a local family ran restaurant in Manado. The location is FR5C+C69, Jl. Wolter Monginsidi. It’s a ten minute drive from the Four Points or a half hour walk. If you are a foodie it is absolutely worth a visit.
BUNAKEN
Bunaken is a small island which is part of the Bunaken National Marine Park. I spent a week on this island and believe that I would have no problem spending a lifetime there. I visited in October and I am sure the experience would be a lot different if I was there during the height of tourist season but that would not deter me from visiting again. The sunsets, the laid back vibe, the stunning coral reefs and the food ( yes food see below).
I do not believe there are any free standing restaurants but all the “hotels” have restaurants that you can visit. At the pier, you can’t see the sunset but there are waterfront places to eat/drink and a few locals selling souvenirs. I grabbed a beer from a homestay while watching the sunset on the beach but other than that we ate at our hotel because the homemade meals were exceptional. We saw several tourists become repeat customers at the Villa Queens Restaurant.
Getting there: We left from the Four Points hotel, where you can see the island of Bunaken from the hotel’s balcony, and it took about 20 minutes to get to the dock. Once at the dock it was about a 15 minute boat ride to the island. The boat was arranged by our Bunaken Hotel.
Hotel:
After hours of searching for the best place to stay we lucked out when we contacted the Bunaken Villa Queens via what’s app and they answered the phone. After my first contact with the owner Mahdi I knew that was the place for us. It did not disappoint. Mahdi and his lovely bride Yulieyana were the perfect hosts. They work so hard to make sure their guests have the experience they desire. They will also generously share their knowledge on the history of the country and land. This property is not on the water but frankly the “beaches” near the town are not the type you would spend the day sitting on. The hotel is across the street from the water and it is in a great location to walk around the “town.”
This hotel is unique in many ways. They host local artists and their beautiful work is displayed throughout the property. There are two pools that are located in the middle of the property. There are a few nooks and comfortable lounge chairs to spend the afternoon snacking or reading by the pool. If you aren’t staying here you can pay a small fee to spend the day by the pools.
The proprietors will assist in helping plan your day. Diving was our priority but you can also take a tour to snorkel, see dolphins or the island. See below for our tour of the Tangkoko Jungle that they arranged.
The food was fantastic. It is all homemade and if desired they will use fresh fish and local fruits and veggies. They also make their own sauces and spices. By the second day, and after a discussion about my palate I picked my protein and let the “chef” decide on what would show up on my plate. It was truly that good.
The rooms are nice. Clean and large. They provide towels for both the shower and the beach. The rooms, just in front of the pools, have a large patio and a drying rack for clothes. I have only one thing that I would change about this place. Since water is so precious they use saltwater mixed in with the fresh water. That said I would absolutely recommend this hotel and hope to one day visit again.
Diving/Snorkeling/Beaches:
In the main town of Bunaken you aren’t going to find a clean luxurious sandy beach that will make you want to plant yourself on with a good book. Its’s the perfect place to go to watch the sun set but not to spend the day.
The water is the highlight of this island’s coast. The reefs are so close to the shore that the snorkeling is fantastic. If you like to swim with sea turtles this is the place to visit. It will be difficult not to see a turtle or several every time you enter the water. There is one part of the reef that is aptly named Turtle City. On my first Turtle City dive I counted 31 turtles before I stopped counting. The reef is beautiful and the turtles are magnificent.
TANGKOK NATURE RESERVE
We decided to spend our last day on a tour to Tangkok Nature Reserve. It is a rainforest that abuts a beautiful black sand beaches. Our reason for wanting to visit was to see the tiny Tarsier Monkey and the Sulawesi Bear Cuscus.
Our day started about 8am and ended around 8pm. A long day but on paper only. Our trip was organized by Yulieyana and Madhi. We were transferred by boat at about 8am to meet our English speaking guide. We had to fill the day because the goal was to be at the Reserve around sunset so we could see the world’s smallest primate which is nocturnal.
We started on a tour of a lively market where we purchases fruits and nuts. We took an easy hike up a dormant volcano and stopped at a few scenic viewpoints before arriving for lunch.
Lunch was at the Gardenia Country Inn. It is located in Tomohon which is in the Minahasa Highlands. The grounds of this property are worth the visit. The gardens and the natural views make this place feel like you are on the set of a fairy tale. It was one of the most charming and stunning properties I have ever visited. The food was exceptional.
It was about a 2 hour drive from Tomohon to the nature reserve. We arrived before sunset which gave us the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the black sand beach for a bit. Our private guide took us into the forest where we spotted the Cuscus, the marsupial not the pasta. As day turned to night we were fortunate to have spotted the monkey that we revolved our day-trip around; The tiny Tarsier with their huge eyes .
A couple of hours at the park and we were back in the car for the hour and a half drive to the Manado water front. This is where we had our last impressive meal of our trip to Norther Sulawesi. RM. Han Siu Restaurant which is mentioned above.